Passed 78 to 32 in the House on December 19, 2014. See Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No".To increase the state earned income tax credit from an amount equal to 6 percent of the federal EITC to 20 percent, which will distribute around $260 million annually to low income wage earners. This program is styled as a “refundable” tax credit, meaning that a check is sent to households who owe no income tax. The measure will not become law unless voters approve an increase to the state sales tax in a May 5, 2015 election, and reportedly it was passed to gain Democratic votes for the two-thirds majority required to place that on the ballot. The bill's original purpose was also adopted, which is to raise the income threshold in the formula used to calculate a “homestead” or principle residence exemption taxpayers can claim on their state income tax.